RTI Activist Hacked To Death In Chennai

Chennai:RTI activist and whistleblower Javanthraj Parasmal was allegedly hacked to death with sickles by a gang at Periamet, Chennai. Javanthraj Parasmal (59) had highlighted many illegal constructions in Sowcarpet. He was in possession of vigilance department files, Housing and Urban Development GOs and Madras High Court demolition orders.

Javanthraj Parasmal was on his way to work on his motorbike when a gang of men in an autorikshaw and two bikes surrounded him. According to witnesses the gang chased him till he got off his bike and began to run. The armed gang surrounded him and hacked him with sickles and fled, leaving him to bleed to death. The spot was just 1.5 km away from the police commissioner’s office.

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Witnesses then called the authorities who reached the spot. Police authorities claim that they have confiscated CCTV footage from a nearby car shed and are analysing it. Parasmal is said to have been receiving threat calls.

They maintain that they’ve identified the registration number of the auto rickshaw used by the assailants and are investigating the matter. The 59-year-old activist is survived by two daughters and a son. Some officials suggested the deceased allegedly pursued RTI as a means to settle scores with rivals, who may have gotten him killed.